Workforce Characteristics, Workplace and Job Satisfaction, Stress, Burnout, and Happiness of Music Therapists in the United States

Authors

  • Anthony Meadows Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
  • Lillian Eyre Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
  • Audra Gollenberg Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v22i1.3366

Keywords:

workforce characteristics, job satisfaction, stress, burnout, happiness, professional development, music therapists

Abstract

This survey research examined the work lives of music therapists in the United States. With the inclusion of data on salary, workplace and job satisfaction, stress, burnout, and happiness, a comprehensive picture of the working lives of music therapists emerges. On the whole, music therapists appear to be generally happy with their workplace and job conditions and to experience moderate stress and low burnout. Data regarding salaries reveal a complex economic landscape. Although the average full-time salary of a music therapist was $51,099.69, salaries varied widely, with newly credentialed music therapists and those with less than six years of experience reporting lower average salaries. Variations in salaries, stress, burnout, and happiness were also evident across workplaces. Implications for the profession, including advocacy efforts, support for early-career professionals, and additional support for career development, invite further discussion.

Author Biographies

Anthony Meadows, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA

Anthony Meadows, PhD, MT-BC, is the Director of Music Therapy at Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA. Correspondence: ameadows2@su.edu

Lillian Eyre, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA

Lillian Eyre, PhD, MT-BC, is Associate Professor of Music Therapy, NTT, at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

Audra Gollenberg, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA

Audra Gollenberg, PhD, is Professor of Public Health at Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA.

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Photo of the three authors Meadows, Eyre, and Gollenberg

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Published

2022-03-01

How to Cite

Meadows, A., Eyre, L., & Gollenberg, A. (2022). Workforce Characteristics, Workplace and Job Satisfaction, Stress, Burnout, and Happiness of Music Therapists in the United States. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v22i1.3366

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2022 Anthony Meadows, Lillian Eyre, Audra Gollenberg

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